Frequently Asked Questions

Public Health checks whether licensed Child Care Centres are in compliance with: Infection Prevention and Control Protocol, 2019

Inspectors look for:

• Policies and procedures on infection prevention and control

• Management of infectious diseases and outbreaks in the centre

• Handwashing practices

• Diapering and toileting practices

• Storage of children's personal items

• Cleaning and disinfecting of toys, educational items, surfaces, and rooms

• Pest control

• General sanitation

Licenced child care facilities are required to be inspected at least once per year for infection prevention and control.

Public Health checks whether facilities are in compliance with: Consumption and Treatment Services Compliance and Enforcement Protocol under the Ontario Public Health Standards.

Inspectors look for:

• General sanitation

• Safe disposal of needles and other harm reduction materials in and around the perimeter of the facility

• Record keeping

• Other potential health hazards related to CTS operations

Public Health checks whether businesses are in compliance with:

• Ontario Regulation 493 - Food Premises under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA)

• Food Safety Protocol under the Ontario Public Health Standards

Inspectors look for:

• Food storage temperatures (hot and cold)

• Cooking, reheating, and cooling times

• Employee personal hygiene

• Food production methods and procedures

• Flow of food through receiving, storage, preparation, and service

• Dish/equipment washing and sanitizing procedures

• Pest control

• Methods of garbage collection, holding, and disposal

• Cleanliness of floors, walls, ceilings, equipment, and other surfaces

• HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points)

Food premises are inspected between one and three times per year. The number of routine inspections depends on:

• Type and volume of food served

• Type of population served (e.g., general public vs. elderly)

• Number of food preparation steps

• Amount of food handling

• History of food-borne illness and compliance with Ontario Regulation 493 - Food Premises under the Health Protection and Promotion Act

We may inspect businesses more often than the routine inspections described below to:

• Follow up on infractions (violations) from the initial inspection

• Respond to a public complaint

Public Health checks whether businesses are in compliance with:

• Ontario Regulation 136 - Personal Service Settings under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA)

• The Infection Prevention and Control Protocol

• Personal Services Settings Guideline under the Ontario Public Health Standards

Inspectors look for:

• Cleaning and disinfection of reusable instruments

• Sterilization of instruments or jewellery intended to pierce the skin

• Safe disposal of sharps (scalpels, needles, lancets, etc.)

• Proper disposal of single-use (disposable) items (e.g., disposable nail files, buffer blocks, wax applicators)

• Cleanliness of floors, walls, ceilings, equipment, and other surfaces

• Whether verbal and written aftercare information is given, where applicable

• Management of blood-borne exposures

• Methods of preventing the spread of disease

• Hand hygiene

Personal services settings are inspected at minimum once a year. We may inspect businesses more often to follow up on infractions (violations) from the initial inspection or in response to a public complaint.

Public Health checks all overnight recreational children's camps for compliance with:

• Ontario Regulation 503 Recreational Camps under HPPA

Inspectors look for:

• Camp safety plans

• Potable drinking water supplies

• Waterfront safety

• Safe food handling practices (food storage and cooking temperatures, dish/equipment washing procedures, food handler training and hygiene, food sources and cleanliness of the kitchen and dining areas)

• Outbreak prevention and infection prevention and control measures are in place to prevent transmission of communicable disease

• Rabies vaccination for animals (pet cats and dogs) at the camp

• Appropriate staff supervision (staff to camper ratios are maintained and staff have first aide and/or medical training)

• Pest control programs

• General cleanliness, sanitation, and maintenance of the camp

Recreational camps are required to be inspected at least once a year.

Public Health checks whether recreational water facilities are in compliance with:

• Ontario Regulation 565: Public Pools under HPPA

Inspectors look for:

• Water quality including clarity, disinfection, pH, total alkalinity and oxidation reduction potential and cyanuric acid (used in outdoor pools)

• Spa water temperature, functioning timers and emergency shut offs

• Operation and maintenance of pool equipment and the physical setting (general cleanliness and safety)

• Safety equipment and overall safety of the facility

• Adequate supervision for the type of recreational facility

• Daily operational records

• Posting of signs (notices contain the required information and are posted at appropriate locations)

• Designated operators that are appropriately trained for the operations of the public recreational water facility

Recreational water facilities are required to be inspected:

• Public pools and spas are inspected once every three months during the calendar year (four times a year)

• Public pools and spas that operate seasonally are inspected once every three months while in operation

• Public splash/spray pads are inspected once a year

• Public wading pools are inspected once a year

Public Health checks whether small drinking water systems are in compliance with:

• Ontario Regulation 319 Small Drinking Water Systems under HPPA

Inspectors look for:

• Microbiological sampling and testing frequency based on the type of SDWS

• Water treatment equipment and maintenance

• Operational checks

• Records keeping

• Physical well conditions and environmental factors that may adversely affect water quality.

• Designated operators who are appropriately trained for the safe operation of the drinking water system

Small drinking water systems are inspected based on a risk assessment. Moderate and low risk systems are inspected at least once every four years, and high risk systems are inspected at least once every two year.